Love deeply. Laugh. Cry. Talk to God. Be realistic about the to-do list. Stay in touch. Hug. Dream. Smile. Break Bread often with Family. Spend Time with your Girlfriends. Shop til you Drop! Extend Grace. Be Quick to Forgive and Slow to Anger. Walk. Breathe. Sing. Dance. Read. Eat Chocolate. Savor a Good Glass of Wine. Wiggle your Toes. Sleep well. Life is Good!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Catching up ....



I know!  I've been a slacking blogger lately!  Keeping up with a blog, a FB Page, a house, a garden, the kids, the grankids, the to-do list ... is time consuming.  Something always falls by the wayside.  My art has fallen even further behind.  Hoping to get into the studio soon and get started on some Christmas gifts.  It's been a busy summer canning, gardening and working on health issues.  An even busier season is sneaking upon us!  The holidays are coming!!!


Halloween!
Best Costume:  Harry 


Thanksgiving!
Hoping to pull this off!!


Christmas!
Love a giant tree!


Caro is coming for an American Thanksgiving!!!  She paid a from France two years ago.  It had been over ten years since she was here as our exchange student.  Looking forward to having our Caro home again!

Jennifer and Caroline
Christmas 2010



More to come .....
Taking a commercial break to visit newest granbaby girl!!


Follow me at  Healthy Wealth Wise & Other Junque
in between blog posts to keep up  with our whirly, twirly happenings!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Been a little occupied!!

We welcomed our second granbaby girl 
into the world this week!  What Joy!!!

Harper Leigh
8#12oz
20"

(same exact weight and length her big sister was)



First photo arrived on everyone's cells while we excitedly
chattered in the Labor & Delivery waiting room!


Gramma meeting Harper for the first time!


Big Sister holding Baby Harper for the first time!


Home Bound!!








Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Cookies -n- Shortcuts!


Got Milk?
Or, Coffee?

You're gonna need one or the other!

These are by far our favorite cookies!
There's a story here!

Me and my daughters took a long weekend trip to the Big Apple several years ago during Spring Break. It was our first trip!  We stayed at the Doubletree Hotel on 7th Avenue. When we checked in we got a cookie!  When we returned from sightseeing, we got a cookie!  When we returned from dinner, we got a cookie.  Every single day!  I learned the first day to ask for one when we left the hotel for the day too!   Not just any cookie!   Warm.   Decadent.  Sinfully delicious!  When we returned home, I made it my mission to find  the recipe.  I found a copycat.  It was dead on!! 

Anywho! I made these cookies today for my daughter.  She's expecting our second granbaby girl anytime now!  She is packaging these cookies as 'thank you' treats for the hospital staff and visitors after Harper's birth!  You bet I was happy to do it for her!!





Doubletree Cookies
Short Version a/k/a quickie!

1 large sleeve of Tollhouse Cookie Dough
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Mix all together and combine just until blended.  You can use a scoop or roll a ball into your hand.  You can also press the ball flat onto a cookie sheet.  It depends on if you want a flat cookie or a mound.  Both shown in photo below. Use parchment paper!

Bake 11-13 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.






Doubletree Cookies 
Long Version a/k/a made from scratch!

1/2 cup rolled oats
2-1/4 cups all purpose  flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 eggs
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

Grind oats in food processor til fine.  Combine ground oats with flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in medium bowl. 

In mixing bowl, cream together cutter and white and brown sugars, vanilla and lemon juice.  Add eggs and mix until smooth.  Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and blend well.  Do not overbeat.  Add the chocolate chips and nuts and mix by hand until blended.  

Chill the dough overnight in the fridge ... for best results.  

Spoon rounded 1/4 cup portions, two inches apart (or large ice cream scoop) onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 16-18 minutes until light brown and still soft in center.  Cool and place in an airtight container to keep soft.




Monday, October 1, 2012

September ...

Oh My!  

Have I really not blogged since September 5th?

Dang!  Time slips by fast as I age!

How can I catch you up?  Pictures!











What?
You want words too?

Maybe tomorrow!